Review of Richard Ford's Canada

You can read my review of Richard Ford's new novel,

Canada

at Decatur Metro.

Fifty Shades Trilogy Hits 10,000,000 In Sales

Fifty Shades of Grey.  Fifty Shades Darker.  Fifty Shades Freed.

Ten Million is sales in the United States in paperback (more than sixty printings), ebook, and audio editions.

The New Yorker has a rather entertaining article about a sex shop in Manhattan that offers workshops based on the books.

“I found out about the books because people kept coming into the store and asking about specific products—floggers, restraints, paddles,” said Claire Cavanah, Babeland’s co-founder.

 You can even purchase your copy from your favorite children's bookstore.  Just ask for it.  We keep them behind the counter.

Colbert Book Debuts at #1

We are a New York Times reporting bookstore.  When we sent in our numbers last Monday, Stephen Colbert's new picture book, I Am A Pole (And So Can You!), was listed under children's books.  So we noted it's single sale along with a note to the effect of 'any book with an illustration of a stripper wearing a g-string and tassels is NOT a children's book.'

Perhaps as a result, the Times has moved Colbert's book to the category of Hardcover Advice and Miscellany, where it now sits at the top of the chart above other titles that include mostly cookbooks and inspirationals.

I'm a fan of the Colbert Report.  I enjoy his humor.  But this book ... ehh, no so much.

However, we do have copies available!

On the other hand, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons is enjoying its second week at #1 on the Children's Picture Book list.  And it's a great book!

The Pooh House is For Sale

If you have a spare £2 million and a hankering to live south of London, then Crotchford Farm might be for you!

This is the house where Christopher Robin Milne grew up.  His father, Pooh author A.A. Milne owned this English estate for about 30 years.

 

One subsequent owner of the 16th century, six bedroom home was Brian Jones, founding member of the Rolling Stones, who died here in 1968 at the age of 27.  ("Death by misadventure," according to the coroner's report.)

 

Jones, who had recently been exiled from the Stones, was found floating in the still existing swimming pool.

Alastair and Harriet Johns are the current owners.  According to Alastair, they get their share of curious Milne and Jones fans.  “By and large, the Jones fans are rather nice. They almost always contact us first, to make an appointment, and unlike the Winnie-the-Pooh crowd, they don’t think they can just walk in here, as of right.”

News About Corporals Cooper and Hanes

Hannah Reiss, staff writer for Decatur High School's Capre Diem (and a person with books in her blood as well) wrote a very good piece on Little Shop's Laura Cooper and Jenna Hanes.

You can read it here.

It's Pete the Cat's World

and we're all just living in it.

Pete's third book

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

just came out last Tuesday and will be debuting at

Number One

on the May 20th

New York Times Bestsellers List

In case you didn't notice, that is ahead of
Mo Willems, Ladybug Girl, Julie Andrews, and Dr. Seuss.

(Signed copies available at Little Shop of Stories!)

Joining Groovy Buttons will be

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

at

Number Eight

and

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

at

Number Nine

Major congratulations to

James Dean

and

Eric Litwin

 

In Memorium: Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak

(June 10, 1928 - May 8, 2012)

Maurice Sendak, who died this morning at the age of 83, had a tremendous impact on children's literature.  Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen are two of the greatest picture books ever.

I'll be writing more about Mr. Sendak for tomorrow's Decatur Metro blog.

This is now posted.  You can read it here.